Lion’s Domain – Aliyah Burke
Many Years Ago
“If this new batch is like the previous one, I want them all incinerated.”
“Yessir.” The man with the dark hair and blond dyed tips didn’t blink at the order for his reputation of ruthlessness was not only fully known but well documented.
“I want that report by the end of the day.”
“I will see to it personally.”
Stopping his lackey before the man pushed out the door. “One more thing.”
No flicker of anything. “Sir?”
“I want bombs implanted in the first six. I need a way to control the situation if their beast gets out of control.”
“Is there a preference on who performs this?”
“No, just make sure once they are in, there is no way for them to be removed.” A pregnant pause. “While the subject us alive.”
“I have just the man.”
He was atypically intrigued. “Who?”
“Dr. Maden.”
He knew the name. “Why him?”
“He has a gambling problem, he will do it for cash, no questions.”
“He any good?”
“He’s a damn good surgeon with a diabolical mind. Like I said, he’ll do it.”
“Where did you meet him?”
The man walked over to the nineteen year old female shifter who had been carried in nude and unconscious. He gestured to the table and the gorilla of a man followed the silent directive.
“He is my brother.”
“You don’t mind killing him if necessary?”
“Not at all, like I said, he’s a gambling addict. Wouldn’t be hard to make it look like there were unpaid debts.”
“Your kin.” Interesting, maybe this man had as mean of a streak as he had. He unbuckled his belt and freed his cock as he neared the table. A few strokes and he was hard.
“Don’t forget my report.” He dismissed the man with a flick of his fingers. He had a female to impregnate.
Chapter One
Jayme swore and checked her surroundings once more.
Why do I get myself into situations like these? Oh, right, because I’m hardheaded and stubborn.
She grimaced and stuck her tongue out at her reflection in the rearview. There was no one to blame but herself for being in this exact predicament. Not a single soul but one.
Way to be pragmatic.
Personally, she’d prefer to be safe in a house, hotel, civilization then she could contemplate being pragmatic.
With a pint of ice cream. A big pint, perhaps two, both just for herself.
She had such plans. First order of business was to get out of the car and find help. No cell service inside.
Of course not.
It wasn’t like she was scared but she did have a very active imagination. One final tongue wag at herself and she climbed from the rattletrap vehicle and out into the African evening.
There was a rise not to far off and she shouldered her bag and got on her way. Even without the sun directly overhead it was still extremely warm and soon, she was down to her tank top with her long sleeve shirt secured around her waist. The bag on her back was not helping.
Breathing hard at the top of the rise, she took a moment and enjoyed the beauty. Never forgetting it was as much dangerous as it was stunning.
Her vehicle was off in the distance.
I wonder if I look as forlorn as it does.
After a brief sip of water, she pulled out her phone.
Signal available and she fist pumped with her free hand as she dialed with the other.
“Jayme? Where are you?”
“Hector, thank god. My vehicle died. I’m, hmm, the fuck if I know.”
Rapid fire Ugbo crossed the line before Hector returned to English.
“Tell me you stayed with the vehicle.”
“Wish I could. I didn’t have signal where it died. I can see it though.”
“Fuck. Everything starts hunting now. Jayme and, sweetie, you’re at the bottom of the food chain.”
Lions roared on cue and on the heels of that was hyena’s barking.
Calculating the time back to the truck she figured it would be close.
“I can get back there and lock myself in.”
“Go now,” he ordered.
She didn’t wait just set off at a brisk pace. Run screamed in her mind but she ignored it not wanting to look like a wounded animal with the bouncing pack.
Jayme wasn’t exactly sure when she lost Hector because her phone was in her pocket. But she did at some point during the return trip.
She’d miscalculated on a severe scale and it was dark by the time she secured herself in the vehicle. Windows barely down she sat in the middle of the back, her bag between her legs.
Her fear amped up as time passed. Exhaustion took over and she struggled to stay alert. Lights